Mugilan wants to GAS Samy out of power

By B Nantha Kumar - Free Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPUR: Sacked MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan today announced the formation of the Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu (GAS) campaign to topple the party president. Addressing a packed press conference at a restaurant in Petaling Jaya, Mugilan said he will be the coordinator of the campaign.

He will launch the campaign, known by its acronym as GAS, on May 30 in Kuala Lumpur with several MIC top guns.

Mugilan expects more than 7,000 people to participate on the first day of the campaign, which will subsequently be held nationwide.

“GAS will not only be for the Indians but also the Malays and Chinese,” he said.

Observers however were left dissapointed as expectations were high that Mugilan will be announcing something more “explosive” as reported by the media.

“This looks like a bombshell which failed to explode,” quipped one senior MIC leader.

In an immediate reaction, MIC Youth advisor and Samy Vellu's son Vell Paari termed GAS as nothing more than “hot gas” from Mugilan and those aligned to him.

He also accused former MIC deputy president S Subramaniam of being the force behind this campaign, saying that GAS should stand for “Group Aligned to Subramaniam” instead.

“This is nothing new. Subramaniam has been trying to do this for 30 years, and now and then he finds someone to do the work for him. Now, Mugilan is the new puppet,” he said.

“Let me make one thing clear, my father will vacate his post, and others will succeed him. But Subramaniam will never become president of MIC and he has to live with this fact,” he added.

Vell Paari also took a swipe at Mugilan, saying that it is in the latter's “genetic make up” to do such things.

“When he was in the Bell Club, he did the same to the president there, he then did the same to (MIC deputy president (G Palanivel) in Hulu Selangor and he was doing the same in MIC Youth by undermining the wing's chief T Mohan,” he said.

In a related development, Palanivel said the MIC president has set his retirment date and all quarters should work together to ensure a smooth transition.

“In the past, I have said that Samy Vellu has to be the one to decide when he wants to leave. Now that he has set the time, let us work together.

“As for me, I have said in the past that I am a leader in my own right and I would like to work with everyone,” he added.

On the question as to whether he is ready to take over the reins, the deputy president said: “The answer is simple. When the delegates voted for me in 2006 and 2009 as deputy president, I am sure they were voting for someone who is capable and experienced.”

He added that Samy Vellu has always said that he has the capability of taking over the party.

Casualties in Air India crash, local official says

(CNN) -- A plane crash in southern India early Saturday has killed more than 160 passengers, an Indian official said.

V.S. Acharya, the home minister of India's Karnataka state, told CNN-IBN he thought about five or or six people had survived the crash.

The Air India plane was carrying 165 passengers -- including four infants -- and went down around 6:30 a.m. (9 p.m. ET Friday) near the Mangalore International Airport, CNN's sister network reported, citing an airline spokesman.

The Boeing 737 burst into flames after overshooting the runway on a flight from Dubai, CNN-IBN reported.
Timeline: Recent plane crashes

Eight to 10 people had been taken to hospitals and were being treated, Gopal Hosur, inspector general of police in Mangalore, told CNN's sister network.

Hosur said he did not know their conditions or whether they would survive.

Witnesses told CNN-IBN that the plane crashed through the hilltop airport's boundary wall and fell into a valley.

The network said that smoke from the plane and the hilly and wooded surrounding terrain were hampering rescue efforts, though about 25 to 30 ambulances were on the scene.

Mugilan launches GAS against Samy Vellu - Malaysiakini

Expelled MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan said he would launch a mass movement called GAS (Gerakan Anti-Samy Vellu) to campaign against the long-time party president.

At a press conference today, the rebel leader said the campaign will kick off with a gathering in Kuala Lumpur on May 30.

This will be followed by gatherings in other states.

Mugilan, who spent the greater part of an hour blaming Samy Vellu for the failures of MIC and the Indian community, urged all disenchanted MIC members to join the campaign.

He said the movement is expected to draw in at least 7,000 people, "including former MIC top guns who were sacked by Samy".

"We used to use firewood but now we use gas, so if people still want to be old-fashioned and use firewood, I don't know what to say," he said, inviting chuckles from those present.

He will press on until Samy resigns

According to Mugilan, he would not relent until Samy Vellu, who has helmed the embattled Indian-based party for almost three decades, quits as the party boss.

Mugilan was sacked by Samy Vellu for demanding the veteran leader to step down now, instead of next September, the deadline set early this week by the party supremo.

The former deputy Youth chief also said he would not appeal the decision to fire him from his party post, but instead will only appeal to remain as a party member.

He showed the termination letter which he received from Samy Vellu at the press conference.

Speaking to reporters at Petaing Jaya today, he said he had no intention to join the opposition, despite the many invitations because his heart is with the people.

In his rant against Samy Vellu, Mugilan said that the president spent 31 years in his position being "confused" by picking fights and later making up with other MIC leaders, like vice president S Subramaniam.

Among others, Mugilan also expressed frustration with the appointment of Samy Vellu's son S Vel Paari to the party's powerful central working committee, which he deemed as "nepotism".

He also urged Samy Vellu to return his shares back to the party investment arm of Maika without taking a single sen, so that the mostly poor Indians who had invested in it could at least make a small profit.

The shares sold for RM1 per unit 27 years ago and are now worth 80 sen each.

"They sold their cows and chickens to buy those shares because they had faith in you," he said, addressing Samy Vellu.

"Samy is trying to leave the party to his son, but who is Vel Paari? He's never contested for any position.

"MIC stands for Malaysian Indian Congress not My Indian Congress," he spat out.

Mugilan gives tips to Pakatan

Not content with that, Mugilan rubbed it in further, saying that though the BN won in the Hulu Selangor by-election, Samy Vellu's presence had cost the coalition around 5,000 votes.

"(We won) because Prime Minister Najib Razak joined the campaign. My tip to the opposition is if they want to win in an election, put up more posters of Samy," he quipped.

Also present was CWC member G Kumar Aman, another vocal critic of Samy Vellu and expected to be the next "on the list of people to be sacked".

MIC Youth is expected to hold a press conference later today to counter Mugilan's claims.

Only 5% of plantation owners implemented housing scheme

By S Rutra - Free Malaysia Today,

FMT FOCUS KUALA LUMPUR: Only five percent of plantation owners had implemented the housing scheme for estate workers under the Tun Razak House Ownership Scheme since it was introduced in 1973.
Parti Sosialis Malaysia secretary-general S Arutchelvan blamed the government for failing to implement stricter laws to ensure that these companies comply with the policy initiated by the second prime minister.
Instead of making it mandatory, he said the government chose to leave it to the discretion of the plantation owners.
"There is no political will to solve the issue, even though in the 1970s itself, the plantation community was recognised as part of the poverty group," he told FMT.
The PSM leader was responding to a recent report in FMT on the plight of estate workers in Hulu Selangor, where some were found to be earning as low as RM33 a month after deductions.
According to Arutchelvan, an independent study carried out by Universiti Malaya found that it will not hurt the plantation industry if a minimum wage policy is implemented.
He said that the findings of the study, sponsored by the Malaysian Agriculture Producers Association (Mapa), was never released despite pressure from various groups.
“The government refuses to compel the plantation owners to implement the minimum wage policy and indirectly allows them to rely on foreign workers,” he said.
As for the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW), Arutchelvan said the union lacks the bargaining power.
"Mapa had the upper hand during negotiations on the minimum wage structure,” he said, adding that the influx of foreign workers is also posing a major problem for NUPW.
There was once, Arutchelvan said, when the plantation sector fell under the purview of the Rural Development Ministry and estate workers could receive assistance similar to those received by Felda settlers.
"The welfare of plantation workers is now with the Human Resources Ministry, where the ministry continues to blame the plantation owners,” he added.
Political will is important
The PSM leader pointed out that many plantations are owned by Pemodalan Nasional Bhd, Amanah Saham Nasional and Amanah Saham Bumputera, and “the government is their indirect boss”.
“Sadly, I have heard the argument from Sime Darby that they are owned by poor Malay peasants and fishermen because they hold shares in ASN and ASB,” he said.
“This is nonsense as Sime Darby is one of the richest companies in the country with international reputation. They represent capitalist interest and are profit-oriented. How can they take care of the workers?" he asked.
On Pakatan Rakyat's effort to address this issue, Aruselvan said the Selangor government must formulate new rules to protect the plantation workers.
"If Pakatan shows political will and implements this, it will pressure Barisan Nasional states to take similar steps.
“There must be real political will and people like (newly elected Hulu Selangor MP) P Kamalanathan should push for minimum wage, government-aided schools and so on instead of just giving out goodies during elections,” he added.

Small but refreshing space for democracy

By Athi Shankar - Free Malaysia Today,

GEORGETOWN: It may be a small space for democracy but at least the common people are given a chance to air their views on matters of public interest.
The Speakers' Square at the Esplanade field, opposite the Town Hall building, is also where you can explore your oratory skills.
The move by the state government to earmark a small space for the public to have its say was greeted with enthusiasm by lovers of democracy.
However, there is one shortcoming: all speakers at the Square must raise their voice because the state government has disallowed the use of loud hailer.
The space was created in accordance with Article 10 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantees a citizen’s rights to speech, assembly and association.
A notice board has been erected at the square to educate people of their constitutional rights.
Social activists, including Dr T Jayabalan, Ong Jing Seng and Choo Chon Kai, former Penanti independent candidate Aminah Abdullah, were all delighted with Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s move to introduce the square.
The Speakers’ Square may not rival London’s famed Trafalgar Square, but, Jayabalan said, “it at least gives a small channel for you to express your opinions on public issues”.
He said the public could highlight grievances over shortfalls in governance and social ills.
He is confident that the small democratic space would eventually pave the way for greater democracy.
“Freedom of speech breeds a mature democracy,” Jayabalan said.
But certain people have some words of caution, too.
They want the authorities to be on alert at all times to prevent unscrupulous characters from misusing the square for their personal or political interests.
A Penangite, who did not want to be named, said a person might abuse the square to stir racial sentiments, hatred and tension.
He said a rival political party can always hire someone to speak ill of the Pakatan government.
“I am not saying it would happen, but it is always possible. The police should monitor this,” he told FMT.
Nonetheless, he embraced the Speakers’ Square as “something refreshing that would never happen under Barisan Nasional rule”.
The square is usually active during weekends when a small crowd will gather to hear someone take centre stage.
Self-regulation
Last weekend the speakers, including Ong, Choo and Aminah, touched on subjects ranging from the failure of the national team to win the Thomas Cup to local issues and the troubles in Thailand.
The crowd even observed a minute's silence for those killed in the conflict in Bangkok.
Will the square be open to abuse by errant individuals? Jayabalan thinks the best way to tackle this potential trouble is self-regulation.
He said people should exercise discipline when they voice their opinions on any issue.
Ong, who is also Penang Suaram coordinator, said the space can be used to intensify the campaign to restore municipal council elections and enact rules for freedom of information.
“We can educate the public on the importance of freedom of information for political and socio-economic growth,” he told FMT after speaking at the square.
Choo and Aminah said they would speak from time to time on issues of public interest.
“The square is for us and we shall use it responsibly and correctly for the people’s benefits,” they said.

Zaid: Pakatan has 'good chance' of toppling BN

By Teoh El Sen

KLANG: Pakatan Rakyat has a very good chance of toppling the BN government if the coalition's components -- the PKR, DAP and PAS -- were to work together, Pakatan coordinator Zaid Ibrahim said yesterday.
Addressing a crowd 1,400-odd DAP supporters at the Hokkien Association Hall last night, the former law minister urged for stronger cooperation among the three political parties.
"To beat BN, we have to be together. If we work towards that, then we have a very good chance of toppling the government," said Zaid at the fundraising dinner, with the slogan “all out towards Putrajaya”.
"Barisan today is a party for the rich people, it is no longer a party for the rakyat. Pakatan Rakyat is the BN of the future. PAS and DAP have struggled for almost 50 years, PKR not so long, but we have also struggled. The BN, however, has stopped altogether, it has forgotten how to struggle, and it has forgotten the people. It now only knows money and power."
Zaid said that to him, Sibu was a "very important decision" that has been made, and that it signals a change that may be reflected in the next general election.
"Both Hulu Selangor and Sibu were BN strongholds. And then even in Hulu Selangor, they almost lost," said Zaid, adding that he felt that the Muslim Melanau's votes were crucial for the Pakatan win.
"We must not be scared. They [BN leaders] say if you don't vote for them, they won't give us money. That's not true. Look at how much they need to spend because of the opposition. I say that if you want more money, vote for the opposition... there is nothing they can do to stop us."
Zaid condemned infighting but praised the Selangor Select Committee on Competency, Accountability and Transparency (Selcat) with its open inquiries, which he said is something not usually found.
Zaid was the third to speak at the dinner organised by DAP Klang Utara, Kapar, Mertajam and Kota Alam Shah.
'Toxins in the body'
The others speakers were Sekinchan state assemblyman Ng Suee Lin, Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching, Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and Selangor state assembly speaker Teng Chang Khim, who was also Sungai Pinang state assemblyman.
Ng attacked former Selangor menteri besar Dr Khir Toyo as well as the recent "phenomenon" of defecting MPs, likening them to "toxins in the body" that should be cleansed.
Teo also criticised the ruling government and challenged Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak to fulfil his recent "deal" of giving out RM5 million for flood mitigation for Rejang Park people during the Sibu by-election, saying:" If he was sincere, he could have given to schools all over Malaysia. If he does not fulfil his promise, then he is not fit to be the PM."
Meanwhile, Pua said that he had lost faith in Najib's New Economic Model as there have been too many instances where there were no open tenders to big projects, citing Naza TTDI's award to build Malaysia's largest exhibition and convention centre.
Pua also alleged cronyism in the decisions on the sports betting licence issued to Vincent Tan's company Ascot Sports Sdn Bhd, and the Defence Ministry's purchase of 257 units of 8x8 armoured-wheeled vehicle amounting to RM8 billion from DRB-Hicom Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd.
Selcat's inquirySpeaking last, Teng compared Selangor government's free water policy to Syabas water privatisation.
Teng said: "BN says it can change, but change what? It never says. We have done in two years what the BN did not do for 50 years. I am confident we can be the next government".
When FMT asked Teng, who is the Selcat chairman, of its list of witnesses for the inquiry into the alleged corruption involving state-owned sand-mining company Kumpulan Semesta Sdn Bhd (KSSB), he said:"We will not disclose the details of the proceeding, including the witnesses so as to prevent any unnecessary side issues being raised. We also want to prevent the press from harrassing the witnesses."
He said the inquiry will focus on the administrative perspective of the issue, including whether procedures and policies were followed, and whether there are any loopholes.
He said the committee will then make suggestions to the government.
"In the course of the inquiry, we may unearth a person who may be guilty and at that point the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission or the police would have to move in."

Plane crashes in south India, at least 160 dead

UPDATED: NEW DELHI: An Air India Express passenger plane from Dubai overshot a runway and crashed outside an airport in southern India today, killing at least 160 people in one of the worst air accidents in India in years.

The accident occurred near Mangalore airport in Karnataka state. There may have been five or six survivors, local media said.

Air India said the plane was a Boeing 737-800, with 166 people on board, including six crew members. Earlier estimates of the number of people on the plane had varied slightly.

Air India Express is a budget airline ran by state-run carrier

"At least 160 passengers have died in the crash," VS Acharya, home minister of the southern state of Karnataka, told reporters. "At least five to six people have been taken to hospital, their condition is not known."

Television channels said the plane crashed around 6.30am (0100 GMT). TV images showed it struck a forested area. Flames were seen blazing from of some of the wreckage as rescue workers fought to bring the fire under control.

One television channel showed a fireman carrying in his arms what seemed to be the mangled remains of a child.

"The aircraft has broken up into pieces and fire has engulfed the aircraft. There is lot of smoke," said Gopal Hosur, a senior police officer in Mangalore.

"The plane apparently overshot the runway and has crashed. We have news that the plane caught fire after crashing," said Rohit Katiyar, a top airport security official.

- Reuters

Religion and Politics Again - Boring, huh?

The more individuals come together to practice their faith, the more their faith is influenced by each other (i.e. by man). Faith turns into a religion with man-made hierarchies of control and influence. The more disciplined the hierarchy and the more it can effect punishment on its members, the greater man’s control over religion becomes.

By batsman

I believe an individual’s faith and spirituality is personal. However, spirituality cannot be separate from behaviour and action. Otherwise one becomes a complete hypocrite. Therefore, a person’s faith must also determine his way of life or at least the way he leads his life. (For example, if you believe in recycling, then you must have “green” habits and the way you lead your life must also reflect this belief – otherwise you are just a plain old hypocrite who mouths empty words.)

And within a community, life is inseparable from politics. So, consequently, faith is inseparable from politics.

Having stated this very basic tenet, I admit to many complications that can occur. The more individuals come together to practice their faith, the more their faith is influenced by each other (i.e. by man). Faith turns into a religion with man-made hierarchies of control and influence. The more disciplined the hierarchy and the more it can effect punishment on its members, the greater man’s control over religion becomes.

Further complication arises when religious groups form into political parties. Can you imagine the complications when an entire religion becomes one single political party? Such an entity is not manageable by man. It is bound to fracture especially if it encompasses the globe. Centers of power and influence will form in various parts of the globe and these can actually quarrel with each other, because it is extremely rare to find an individual whose faith is 100% of his being. Capitalists however can talk about globalization because selfishness has universal characteristics especially when ruled and united by the Great Satan.

Most people are infected with other interests besides faith in God and any way of life is never perfect being greatly influenced by geographical, cultural, historical, social, economic and physical factors causing them to vary widely and maybe even coming into conflict with different communities of roughly the same faith.

So it is that politics affect religion just as religion affects politics. Religion and politics are inseparable. They are different and yet the same. They are two ways of allowing man to live harmoniously with and regulate his relations with his neighbors.

So how was it that religion became separate from politics in current dogma? It was never so. In fact throughout history, religion and politics were intertwined for much longer than the period when they got separated.

Secular and religious power sat together to rule during feudal times and even before that. This was natural since men of letters were mostly men of religion and nobles. In fact it was religious orders that founded the first universities. The rest of the population was illiterate and ignorant in comparison. Even when capitalism was on the rise, its champions were fanatically influenced by religious beliefs. Not only that, the early scientists were also extremely religious persons.

It was only when science finally unseated religion in explaining the physical world that capitalism found it convenient to abandon their old religious allies and separate religion from politics. Scientists started to play a more important role in social control than priests and since science was a different dogma apparently antagonistic to religion, the capitalists had to choose favourites and they chose the scientists who were also coincidentally more subservient and more compliant.

Personally, in my view, science is not inherently antagonistic to religion, but because the scientists needed to suck up to the capitalists to become second-in-command and to get scientific grants, they made it look as if science is antagonistic to religion. This was helped somewhat by the priests who in trying to keep their positions persecuted the early scientists.

These days, the capitalists are finding that science is not an adequate dogma to fulfill the needs of humans for spirituality. They are trying to turn capitalism itself into a religion. In this, they can only meet with failure as capitalism will be beneficial to only a few and oppressive of the many and these days the majority are much better educated and exposed than their forebears during the “Dark Ages”. Yet the capitalists have not given up. Instead they turn education into skilled training for the working trades. Subjects such as philosophy and ethics are slowly being abandoned. They try to turn people back into the illiterates of the “Dark Ages” albeit with productive skills.

In modern times, religion can be weaved into politics for the benefit of mankind as long as the old dogmas are got rid of. For example, if a religious group forms into a political party, where does it loyalties lie? In intolerant Communist China, for a religious group such as Catholics to be loyal to a foreign authority such as the Pope is something the communists cannot comprehend or tolerate.

Similarly, for a religious group to place its loyalty foremost with God, that already makes it difficult to regulate relations with other religious groups who place foremost loyalty with their own god. Democracy becomes difficult because these groups respect their loyalty to God more than they respect their interactions with each other. The vote becomes redundant even within each religious grouping since authority comes from closeness with God and not elections among men. So it is that if we go back to the basic tenet that faith is a personal matter, control and discipline by men becomes something not coming from God, but necessitated by the need to regulate relations among men.

Religious groups can thus only form into political parties if they recognize that within the political arena, they have to play by democratic rules and treat others as equals – neither inferior nor superior. Their motive of spreading spirituality throughout society must be tempered by the realization that it must be done through education, good deeds and the free right to propagate their beliefs without force or violence by any side and if they want to educate others, they must also be prepared to listen to others. It is either religious democracy or a democratic theocracy – never a secular democracy controlled by secularists suppressing the religions and praying to the capitalist god which is as good as a capitalist / secular theocracy.

Such a secular democracy which separates religion from politics can only indulge in the most offensive hypocrisies, eventually leading to corruption and abuse of power and even murder. When political action is separate from and not accountable to morality and ethics i.e. religious values and beliefs, then it is possible for the most heinous and immoral actions and sins to be committed.

For a start, in Malaysia, there is nothing wrong with or dangerous about placing the captains of religion in the Senate instead of the useless senators we now have and are paying good money for. This starts the traditions and practice of religious tolerance and religious democracy within Malaysian society. Our current senators are appointed anyway and even in England, Nick Clegg is already talking about an elected House of Lords and since we suck up to the English and copy their every move, it is not a big step if we change our Senate as well – only instead of elections, the captains of religion sit in it by automatic right (I might add – this includes the spiritual leaders of the Orang Asli. Even secularists may be admitted, but only if they admit that secularism is just another form of religion. heeheehee)
What say you?

Close to the Bone

Very real threats were made to Singapore. When will it be Malaysia's turn? Financing came from Malaysia (among other places). Who will bear the brunt of this?
By John Doe
What evil people live among us?
I spoke over Skype the other day with a friend of mine, and he used the words “Boh Chap”. In Hokkien, it means “(I) Don't Care”. Now, I don't speak a word of Hokkien, nor any Chinese dialects, but these two words stuck in my mind. Why? Well, how many have read in the media about the Terrorists which were captured in Indonesia just recently?
Read more on Jakarta Post and on AsiaOne News.

OK, so who is funding these Terrorist Acts? The report goes on further to state, “... During the recent raids, police confiscated bank notes totalling about Rp 1 billion (US$110,000) from the suspects. The money was raised to finance acts of terror and run military-style training camps in Aceh," he said. "The money was found in Rupiah, Malaysian Ringgit and US dollars from suspected terrorists Abdul Haris aka Haris Al Falah, Haryadi Usman, Syarif Usman, and Maulana", Bambang said.
The Star newspaper reports, however, decided to omit the vast amounts of Ringgit found during the heist. This was expected, as we all know by now that the Star is one heck of a lop-sided News Agency.

What was also reported of the same Terrorist Group was that Malaysian Military Uniforms were found on these Men. News carried by SMH in Australia, confirms that, “... Police found rifles, Malaysian military uniforms and propaganda material including videos of the 2002 Bali bombings...” This same group is responsible for the Jakarta Bombings last year. And they are directly related to Malaysia's Nordin Top, who was behind the 2003 JW Marriott hotel bombing in Jakarta, the 2004 Australian embassy bombing in Jakarta, the 2005 Bali bombings and the 2009 JW Marriott - Ritz-Carlton bombings, and Noordin assisted in the 2002 Bali Bombings. “Boh Chap”. OK. Got that.

The Jakarta Globe also announced that “... A forensic pathologist said on Wednesday that an examination of the body of the terrorist mastermind Noordin M Top, who was killed during a raid in Central Java last month, indicated that he had been sodomized at some point in his life. 'There is an anomaly in Noordin’s anus because it is shaped like a funnel', said Mun’im Idris, a forensic pathologist from the University of Indonesia. 'It indicated that somebody had sodomized him.'” The same day Nordin Top was killed, it was announced all over Indonesian National TV, that , “No longer will Malaysians be a threat to Indonesia...”. I happened to be in Indonesia at that time, and heard it firsthand myself. Incidentally, Indonesian TV is also blaring that Malaysian Ringgit were found in the hands of these Terrorists. “Boh Chap”. OK. Got that again.

Continuing with the “Boh Chap” attitude, this turns up on the Bloomberg yesterday,  PtiNews,  AsiaOne News. and Channel News Asia.

The same Terrorists now want to blow up the Orchard Road MRT Station. I received many jittery phone calls from my friends in Singapore exclaiming exasperation on this. Singapore Blogs have exploded on this topic alone. Regardless of the persons involved, one thing is clear, and that is, that you now have some extremely rich people financing these operations. They raised US$110,000, which translates to roughly RM400,000. Poor people simply don't have that kind of money to throw around. Sure, if you had 400,000 people giving RM1 each, but that means that you now have 400,000 Terrorist-Supporters living amongst you. “Boh Chap”. OK. Got that.

Notice how the Malaysian Government never criticizes any of these “Terrorist Activities”? KJ immediately takes to the streets in protest whenever anything “bad” is done by Israel, but always remains totally silent when Muslim Terrorists are decapititating people, burning churches, and planning assasinations. One cannot help but wonder if it has anything to do with the sale of arms, or the M-16's being manufactured in Hulu Selangor. Maybe that's the other reason BN insisted on keeping/winning that seat recently.

Still “Boh Chap”? Maybe you don't deserve to be Malaysian. Look around you then, your friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues. Maybe this would be the last time you will see that person. Also, while you're at it, you might as well look in the mirror, coz that might be the last time you look at yourself as well, before kaboom .... Don't say I didn't warn you.

Understand cops, IGP tells public

“The people must understand that when facing the police, they must adhere to police instructions and directives,” said Musa.

Mr Tan Sri IGP Sir, from my experience, adhering to police instructions and directives requires me to “share” my hard earned ringgit with your people every time I am pulled up for a traffic infringement. That “ringgit” stays in their pockets and does not find its way into Government coffers – which must be upsetting for those who are entrusted to “spend” this money – i.e. the Barisan Nasional politicians! It is not my place to ask the Barisan Nasional politicians where or how they spend this money; suffice to say that writing cheques the day after a by-election could be a preferred option.


By steadyaku47

First, IGP, you must learn humility. Humility is something I learnt from my parents from the time when I was conscious of our ability to push our weight around (if we wanted to) with the servants that worked for my parents and with the policemen who worked under my late Father when he was a senior police officer. My parents always told us to respect them so that they would respect you in return. If your parents did not teach you that … then you are excused.

During my late father’s time, we called the ordinary policemen “mata-mata” or even “datok” with a small “d”. They were people we respected and they were the eyes of the nation, of the of the people, to ensure that all is good and well in our country and that we and our children were safe. And then from “mata mata”, I noticed that people were calling them “bakul” behind their backs. At first, I wondered why and then it hit me. You put things into a “bakul”. And so when you put things into the hands of these policemen, you can “selesai” any “problems” you might have with them. Then, at just about the same time, we all spontaneously started to refer to them as “babi”.

We all know, Tan Sri, for a Malay to be called “babi” is an insult. But then, we Malays were ourselves calling these policemen “babi” with relish and gusto because by then and by their actions these policeman have earned the right to be called “babi”. By this time the Policeman had become legal thugs paid for by our tax money!

I see in you what I saw in your minister – a propensity to shoot from the hip and the “Look at me I am the Minister/IGP mentality” – doing and saying things with arrogance and without much thought of the consequences or what it does to the office that you are holding. We respect the post of IGP because we remember Hanif. Do we see another IGP getting a Tun ship … I think not! Anyway, between you and Din as the Malay proverb says “Bapa borek, anak rintek”i.e. if the father has freckles … so has the son.

Your time is almost over (thank GOD!). We live in hope that IGPs that will surely come after you will take cognizance of the hope of the people. That they are more emphatic of the needs of the people to have an honest PDRM. Our hope is not much – just do your job and live within your means as we try to do. Understand that the “them and us” mentality is destructive to all of us.

For now, the police are thugs. As the first tier, UMNO had already replaced the Sultans in their excesses and greed. The Police have now taken over from the thugs, the gangsters and the criminal elements of our country in intimidating the people for their own personal gains. PDRM is better disciplined, better armed and have the support of the so-called legitimate Barisan Nasional government behind them. So my dear IGP, do you not think that the people are worried? Do you not think that the people have a sense of hopelessness because if we cannot look to the police for protection – then who?

Have you ever put yourself in the position of someone who has to pay a bribe to the police? Think! You are caught talking on your mobile while driving and stopped. You know you have done wrong. So you wait in your car as the policeman approaches. You tell yourself off for doing something stupid then you prepare yourself for the unpleasant task of dealing with the policemen. You say "Sorry". He says it is not enough. Slowly, a feeling of disgust and anger starts from deep within you. Angry because this man wants money for doing what he is paid to do and disgust because he makes no pretense about it being his right to get that money off you! And so, and my Tan Sri IGP, you are the man in charge of PDRM, are you not?

We now come to the present day. People are clamouring publicly for you to go. Everywhere in cafes, over meals, amongst friends, we talk about how corrupt and brutal the police have become. PDRM is no longer a beacon of hope and a force for good in our country. PDRM is a force for good only for Barisan Nasional. You do their bidding. You put away those that are seen to be a danger to Barisan Nasional. You set your force upon that defenseless crowd and whack them (as Petra is fond of saying!) and you hit them without mercy when it pleases the BN government.

And then the killings and the torture you inflict upon those in your custody – simply unforgivable! Because these people cannot fight back, cannot defend themselves and they are murdered by your officers because this is the culture now condoned and prevailing within the PDRM – sanctioned by you, your minister and the Basrian Nasional govt.

Until such time as you understand the disgust and contempt we the people have for PDRM and the BN government for allowing PDRM to be what it is today, then … until that time … we the people will be your enemies, not your friends. We the people will be your nemesis, not your supporters. And we the people will look upon PDRM the same way you all look upon us – as a group to be cowered into submission through whatever means. You do it to us with force – we will do it at the next general election with our votes. You will no longer be IGP but the people will still be able to cast their votes come the next General Election next year!

Majlis Raja-Raja Perlu Bertindak

Dari Era Pakatan
Oleh Roziyah Mahamad

Tindakan kerajaan ‘menghalalkan’ lesen judi telah menjadi persoalan dan kebimbangan rakyat khususnya masyarakat yang beragama Islam. Malaysia seolah-olah hilang nama ‘Negara Islamnya’ apabila meluluskan lesen judi 2010 yang akan diadakan tidak lama lagi.

“Islamnya boleh dipertikaikan apabila seseorang atau Negara ‘menghalalkan’ sesuatu yang haram dan mengharam sesuatu yang wajib dan halal.

“Sesebuah Negara Islam seharusnya membanteras sesuatu yang terang-terangan bercanggah dengan syariat dan hukum Allah,” kata Bekas Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan, Datuk Hashim Yahya ketika dihubungi erapakatan.com.

Bagi beliau, Majlis raja-raja perlu mengambil tindakan kerana majlis raja-raja mempunyai kuasa penuh dalam hal-hal berkait dengan agama Islam.

Tindakan kerajaan persekutuan ini akan mencemarkan agama Islam yang berada di bawah jagaan Majlis raja-raja.

Beliau juga dalam pada itu meminta majlis muzakharah fatwa bersidang bagi membincangkan dan mengambil tindakan terhadap hal ini. Mereka juga disarankan memohon kepada majlis raja-raja melayu bagi menyelesaikan isu ini.

11 Mei lalu, Kementerian Kewangan secara rasminya memberi lesen judi berkenaan kepada Kumpulan BERJAYA.

Sehubungan keputusan itu, pertaruhan secara sah boleh dilakukan sebelum kejohanan bolasepak Piala Dunia bermula 11 Jun ini.

Sejak pengumuman itu dibuat, pelbagai pihak termasuk pertubuhan bukan kerajaan(NGO), parti-parti politik, pertubuhan agama dan juga orang perseorangan membidas tindakan kerajaan tersebut.

Najib should not dodge questions but should answer frankly whether the Bakun Dam project has cost overruns of RM1.7 billion and that the government will be asking Parliament for a RM700 million bailout package for Sime Darby

By Lim Kit Siang,

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak has dodged questions about the Sime Darby costs overruns scandal since the GLC-conglomerate’s May 13 admission of RM964 million losses for the second half of FY2010, comprising:
1. Qatar Petroleum (QP) RM200 million
2. Maersk Oil Qatar (MOQ) RM159 million
3. MOQ marine project RM155 million
4. Bakun Dam RM450 million
Total RM964 million

These are however only a part of the losses suffered by Sime Darby from these projects, for instance:

*

the RM974 million QP project which was awarded in April 2006 and scheduled for completion in August 2008 incurs losses exceeding RM500 million;
*

the RM2.2 billion MOQ Project, awarded in January 2007 and due for completion in October 2009 incurs RM526 million losses.


The Bakun Dam is a different kettle of fish altogether. It has been reported that Sime Darby has incurred more than RM1 billion in cost overruns from carrying out a civil works contract for the hydroelectric project, with one estimate putting the total cost overruns at RM1.7 billion, which is almost the same size as Sime Darby’s actual Bakun contract of RM1.8 billion.

It has also been reported that the government has agreed to reimburse around RM700 million to Sime Darby, leaving the group with around RM1 billion to deal with.

Najib said publicly that Sime Darby should determine the cause of its RM964 million losses first before the issue of responsibility.

This is far from correct as RM964 million losses are for the second half of the FY2010 and small porton of the total losses of Sime Darby in its history of some RM3.5 billion write-offs, and with more to come.

Star today carries the following table:
History of write-offs in Sime Darby group
Description Period Estimated quantum (RM)
Provision for costs overruns for Energy & Utilities projects 3 QFY2010 964 mil
Provision for cost overruns for the RM2.2 bil Maersk Oil Qatar project 2 QFY2010 210 mil
Provision for costs overruns for the RM1 bil Qatar Oil Project 4 QFY2010 80-100 mil
Futures trading loss due to trading of palm oil FY2008 120 mil
Provision for vehicles sales receivables in China FY2005 164 mil
Provision for cost overruns in Bakun hydroelectric project FY2004-FY2005 132 mil
Losses due to Sime Bank FY1998 1.8 bil

While investigations are ongoing to determine the causes of the losses and the persons responsible, Najib should not shirk responsibility from giving Parliament and Malaysians answers which are available to him now, viz: whether the Bakun Dam project has cost overruns of RM1.7 billion and that the government will be asking Parliament for a RM700 million bailout package for Sime Darby.

Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is gloating over the Sime Darby and Bakun Dam fiascos, and it seems to be “sweet revenge 25 years later” when he called on Tun Musa Hitam and the entire Sime Darby Board to resign over the cost overruns.

The 2M government of Mahathir and Musa (Mahathir had later claimed that 2M really stood for Mahathir Mohamad) lasted less than five years from 1981 before it broke up, with Musa teaming up with Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah to challenge the Mahathir premiership – but it is only now we see the return of the “2Ms”, with Mahathir going for Musa’s jugular.

But it must be conceded that Mahathir raised a most legitimate question when he asked:

“Is it only the CEO (Datuk Seri Ahmad Zubir Murshid) who was responsible? Who are the others who were involved with the project and failed to see that the cost overrun was very high and the project has been delayed by almost 3 years.

“I think responsibility should be shared. I was told of this cost overrun and delay three years ago.”

However, Mahathir should not be overhasty in his bombardment of Musa and Sime Darby, as during the Sime Bank Bhd financial crisis when it incurred losses amounting to RM1.8 billion during the 1997/8 Asian financial crisis, only the banking head Datuk Ismail Zakaria resigned while the group president and chief executive Tan Sri Nik Mohamed Nik Yaacob retired only in 2004. Zubir took over the position of chief executive after that.

Who was the Prime Minister during the Sime Bank crisis of 1997/8?

S. African paper publishes Mohammed cartoon

(CNN) -- Once again, a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed has sparked anger and controversy.

A South African newspaper published Friday a cartoon depicting the prophet lamenting that his followers lack a sense of humor, drawing ire from the Muslim community and fear of reprisal attacks just ahead of the World Cup soccer tournament that is expected to draw thousands to South Africa next month.

The cartoon by the acclaimed Cape Town cartoonist Jonathan Shapiro, who is known as Zapiro, shows Mohammed reclining on a therapist's couch and saying sadly: "Other prophets' followers have a sense of humour."

Zapiro called his cartoon "gentle," and said he was responding to "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day," a Facebook event that encouraged people to flout the belief by devout Muslims that it is wrong to depict religious figures because doing so could lead to idol worship.

Zapiro said he believes all faiths should be subjected to satire. No religious groups, he said, should be able to think they are above society and not respect freedoms afforded to people who live in democracies.

He said there should have been more movement on this score since 2005, when a Danish newspaper first published a series of Mohammed cartoons that led to riots around the world.

"It's important that we assert those rights," Zapiro said.

He said the irony is that the cartoon itself is about asking people to think twice before they get so angry.

But despite Zapiro's intentions, the publication by the Mail & Guardian on Friday drew strong criticism in some Muslim circles.

"These are times that the enemies of Islam are intentionally causing events to provoke a reaction from the Muslims," said a statement from South Africa's Council of Muslim Theologians, which went to court to try to stop the newspaper from printing the cartoon but lost its bid late Thursday.

The council said it was exploring legal routes to ultimately implement a ban on what it called "hate speech."

Radio Islam discussed the topic on South African airwaves Friday.

"Muslims have been seriously offended by the publishing in the Mail & Guardian newspaper of a blasphemous cartoon by Zapiro," the station said.

Mail & Guardian Editor Nick Dawes defended his decision to publish the cartoon.

"I understand that for many Muslims any representation of the prophet, no matter how innocuous, is offensive and I genuinely regret any offence that the cartoon may have caused those who hold this belief dear," Dawes said in an open letter published on the newspaper's website Friday.

"That regret does not, however, outweigh my duty to the principle of freedom expression," he said.

Creators of the "Everybody Draw Mohammed" Facebook group say their idea stemmed from recent controversies surrounding the belief.

At least two European cartoonists live under police protection after drawing Mohammed and, most recently, Comedy Central censored part of the animated show "South Park" because it showed a depiction of the prophet.

The two sides of Mahathir Mohamad - Malaysiakini

EXCLUSIVE It is a case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde - or more aptly Dr M and Mr Mahathir - when it comes to Malaysia's fourth prime minister, said 'Malaysian Maverick' author Barry Wain.

A "talented politician", Mahathir had compartmentalised his life, and adopted a completely different rule book for politics, Wain told Malaysiakini in an exclusive interview yesterday.

Through his conversations with Mahathir's (left) family, the author said, he found that outside of politics, Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister was in fact an upright family man.

"He taught his children right from wrong, how to work hard, no short cuts to success, good manners and respect for authority.

"(But) how do you square that with dumping someone in prison under the Internal Security Act for getting in your way politically?" asked the seasoned journalist, who had followed Mahathir's political career since the 1970s.

He added that former deputy premier Musa Hitam (right) explained it best: "(With Mahathir it is the case of) 'You can be my friend today, but tomorrow morning, you could be my mortal enemy.'"

In Kuala Lumpur to promote his best-seller that will also be translated into Bahasa Malaysia, Wain admitted that he found the politician's ability to keep aspects of his life separate "extraordinary".

In fact, he was taken aback to find that Mahathir's wife Dr Siti Hasmah only learnt that her husband wrote a highly critical letter to then premier Tunku Abdul Rahman in the wake of the May 13, 1969 riots only after it had been mailed.

"Even when he wrote (that letter), he probably expected that the Tunku would put him in jail, he didn't even bother telling his wife," he said.

Did Dr M neglect rural Malays?

Wain felt that Mahathir was so hell-bent on pushing Malaysia up the development scale that he would stop at nothing to fulfill his dream.

"He didn't do enough to correct abuses in the New Economic Policy, corruption in Umno ... he undermined institutions ... he wasn't going to be thwarted by independent courts ruling (in a) way," he said.

It was this determination which led Wain to believe that he would have found a way to remain in power even if he had lost to Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (left) at the 1987 Umno General Assembly.

"When (Mahathir) was defending the sacking of the (Supreme Court Lord President Salleh Abas), he said that he didn't have to worry about sacking the chief justice or stacking the odds because (he) would have found another way.

"You are left with the impression that he was so determined in his political career that it would be almost impossible to cut him out in any way," he said of the string of events which many believe had heavily influenced Malaysia's political landscape.

In his book, Wain said that Mahathir may have had a hand in the sacking of Salleh Abas who was expected to find in favour of Razaleigh in the court appeal which followed the election.

While powering through at all costs, Wain observed, Mahathir had to an extent "neglected" the rural Malays, whom he had championed early in his political career.

Instead, he chose to back the new Malay elite - a breed of nouveau riche Malays who benefitted from the bumiputera-friendly affirmative action.

"I think he genuinely forgot about (the rural Malays, living mostly in poverty)... there was no room for Malay smallholders, farmers, fishermen (in his vision of Malaysia).

"When I discussed this point with (Musa) - but I did not discuss it in the book - he told me that he used to remind Mahathir that the poor Malays were being left behind.

"(But Mahathir) pitched his sights far afield and in the great scheme of things (the rural Malays) did not fit into his ambitions," he said.

Death grip on PM's post

Wain added that Mahathir was entirely consumed by his vision for Malaysia, that it occasionally brought him to tears - an act which his detractors dismissed as mere theatrics.

"I didn't think he was acting at all. He was in tears because he was genuinely overcome with emotion," he said.

But for all his clarity of vision where the future of the nation was concerned, Wain said, Mahathir could not foresee that his chosen successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi would be "a disaster as a prime minister".

"(Mahathir told me) 'I didn't know (Abdullah) was going to turn out like that. The Americans didn't know George (W) Bush was going to be like that," he said.

He added that it was probably Mahathir's death grip of the prime ministerial post that blocked talented potential successors out of the leadership pipeline.

Those who have followed Mahathir's colourful career closely, he said, should not be surprised that the octogenarian is still so vocal in his retirement, although the real motives is anyone's guess.

Wain said that while he vowed not to interfere after stepping down, Abdullah's faltering leadership was likely to be what forced the former premier to butt in.

"Somewhere along the line I guess (Mahathir) expected Abdullah to follow what he prescribed... he had no doubt whatsoever that his way is the right way.

"But there is definitely an element where he really craves the limelight and he finds it hard to be ignored (which motivated him to) sometimes to write some extreme things on his blog," he said, adding that he does not buy that Mahathir believes that the Sept 11 tragedy was staged.

And by lending support to Malay rights' group Perkasa, Wain said, the 'maverick' appears to have "gone full circle" - returning to the early days of his career when he was the firebrand champion of the Malays.

Asked if he has set his sights on another Malaysian politician, Wain said, "Probably (Opposition Leader) Anwar Ibrahim, but only if he becomes prime minister.

"Mahathir and Anwar are probably the two most talented politicians Malaysia has seen in the last decades," he said.

Bantahan lesen judi di Kajang

Manikavasagam receives 'racist' SMS

Dato Subra, PKR, DAP and PAS Indian mandores doesn’t want Maika settled. Refuse to demand RM26 for RM1 share from UMNO

Public interest must prevail over especially personal political gains.
When PNB in 1981 started off with RM200 Million and in 2008 was worth RM76 Billion, ie a jump of 38,000%. How come Dato Subra, DAP, PKR and PAS Indian mandores namely, DCM II of Penang Ramasamy, MP M.Kulasegaran, A.Sivanesan, S.Manickavasagam, Gobalakrishnan, etc has never demanded that UMNO bail out Maika Holdings @ RM26 per RM1 share, as UMNO had bailed out PNB, MAS, MCA’s Multi Purpose Holdings, Perwaja Steel, Syarikat Perkapalan Nasional, BMF etc?
These MIC, PKR, DAP and PAS mandores refuse to do so, as with the solving of the Maika issue so will vanish their political capital against UMNO’s Chief mandore and dead horse Samy Vellu. But they keep flogging at this dead horse and never train their guns at UMNO because they fear a real solution to Maika Holdings.
Post Maika, they would find it very difficult to keep themselves politically afloat as there will be no major issues to flog Samy Velu with. But never mind the 64,000 or so poor Indians who had pawned their jewellery, sold their land and cattle and invested in Maika Holdings. HRP’s proposed RM26 per Maika shares would create about 64,000 instant quarter millionaires.
For these MIC, PKR, DAP and PAS Indian mandores, yet again personal political gains prevails over the general Indian public interest.
Karunai Nithi @ Compassionate Justice

P.C. Indian girl 10As & Hundreds others denied Matriculation

 

NO.6, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: 03-2282 5241 Fax: 03-2282 5245 Website: www.humanrightspartymalaysia.com Email:info@humanrightspartymalaysia.com

Press Conference
(22/5/10- Saturday)
Re: To highlight the plight of poor Indian girl and many others who got straight 10As’ in her SPM at MRSM Terendak Malacca but still failed to secure a place in the matriculation programme.
Date: 22/5/2010 (Saturday)
Time: 3.00 pm
Venue: Bilik Gerakan, Human Rights Party Malaysia, DUN Sri Andalas/Parlimen Kota Raja, 35-1, Lorong Temenggung 15 A, Off Jln Sg Jati, Taman Sentosa Perdana, Klang.
Thank You
Your Faithfully,
Latha
(016-6019703)

No justice for six Indians shot dead by police in one transaction. Policeman shot dead Malay muslim in a rare case instantly prosecuted.

We maintain that the police murderer of Aminulrasyid Amzah (15) must be prosecuted for first degree homicide.
But why is that in the Malaysian Legal and Judicial system there is yet to be a single prosecution of any of the Malay-sian policemen for the killings of the hundreds of Indians over the years even up to the rate of 1.3 killed every week, and estimated statistics based on newspaper reports for 2009 reveals that up to 95% of the Malaysians shot dead by the police are Indians!
PoliceWatch and Hindraf has even some five years ago walked out of the Inquest proceedings of Vikines Visvalingam (19) shot dead by the police in cold blood. Thereafter we had made a policy decision and have boycotted all the other Inquests of Tharmarajan, Subramaniam, Kalavathi’s husband, etc., as we have lost confidence in the Judiciary of Malaysia vis a vis the Attorney General, police who are all controlled by UMNO.


V.Visachi, the mother of two of the five Indians killed by the Malay-sian police is seen crying for Justice outside the Kulim Magistrates Court. (See photo below in The Star 21/5/2010 at page N32, Malaysia Nanban at page 10 and Makkal Osai at page 13). 
Who then speaks for the Indians? PKR? DAP? PAS? Indian elite? NGOs? Malaysiakini? Bloggers?
P.Uthayakumar

PKR Selangor approves extra 1.2 hectres land for Chinese school. What about 98 Tamil schools? Indian mandore politics.

From 0.3 hectres an extra 1.2 hectres of adjoining land is approved by the State Executive Council Meeting on 28/4/2010 and is to be gazetted.
But this has never been done for  any Tamil school in especially Selangor, Penang or Kedah ruled by PKR, DAP and PAS or any of the other states ruled by UMNO.
Almost always PKR, DAP, PAS and UMNO get their Indian mandores to play Wayang Kulit by making Tamil newspaper media statements of land here and land there but nothing is given in writing or the title given out. But here at least a State Exco decision on 28/4/10 and that the land is to be gazetted has been announced by the Chinese Exco Member.

P.Uthayakumar

Five new Bank and two new Insurance licences. Zero Indian Banks

All banks and insurance companies are owned by the Malays and the Chinese. The last Indian owned bank, the Central Cooperative Bank (CCB) and Bank of Commerce (BOC), MCIS Zurich (gone) and also Oriental Capital (going anytime now with Maika Holdings downfall) were all absorbed by the Malay-sian UMNO Banks in the last fifteen years under dubious mergers. And neither will any of the new five and two insurance company licences be given to the Indians, so as to include them into the national mainstream development of Malaysia.
This is “ethnic cleansing” of the Indian businesses in the banking sector by UMNO in Prime Minister Najib Razak’s One Malay-sia.
P. Uthayakumar

Tanjong Piandang HRP Chief questions RM80,000 meant for Hindu cemetery

See The Star 21/5/2010 at page N57.

UMNO menafikan bantuan kepada keluarga Chandran yang dihimpit kemiskinan.

Ayah Chandran Harikrishnan, 43 menghidapi penyakit barah telinga manakala emak kepada 6 orang anak pula tidak berupaya bekerja lagi akibat sejenis penyakit sawan di kaki. Keluarga ini sedang melalui kehidupan seumpama neraka kerana kedua-dua ibu bapa tidak bekerja. Sewaktu pasangan ini berkahwin 20 tahun lalu Chandran Harikrishnan, 43 yang merupakan seorang pemandu lori, tidak mengendahkan petumbuhan kecil yang terdapat di tepi telinganya.  Kini ia telah mengakibatkan penyakit barah telinga di mana kesannya pendengaran serta percakapannya terjejas, tidak sedar diri dan juga tidak dapat berjalan.  Keluarga ini yang tinggal di rumah sewa dengan kadar sewa RM350 sebulan sedang mangharungi kesempitan hidup kerana mereka hanya bergantung kepada duit kebajikan yang diterima oleh Chandran RM450 sebulan. Mereka mempunyai enam orang anak yang berumur dari 3 tahun hingga 18 tahun. Dua orang anak mereka sedang belajar di Sekolah Menengah manakala seorang lagi belajar di Sekolah Rendah Tamil. Malah kepayahan mereka ditambah lagi apabila sebahagian dari rumah mereka telah musnah dijilat api. Barang persekolahan tiga orang anak ini turut terbakar dan menyebabkan mereka tidak pergi ke sekolah selama 2 minggu sejak kebakaran tersebut berlaku. Malah akibat kebakaran tersebut juga bekalan elektrik rumah mereka terputus dan mereka kini tinggal di rumah tersebut dengan bantuan bekalan elektrik yang dikongsi dengan jiran mereka. Salah seorang dari anak pasangan ini Dinesh, 14 telah mula bekerja di sebuah garaj berdekatan rumahnya kerana tidak dapat bersekolah lagi. Malah menurut Athiletchumi, 42 ibu kepada anak-anak ini, sewa rumah tertunggak selama dua bulan dan tuan rumah memberi tekanan kepada keluarga ini supaya menyelesaikannya. Sudah 7 bulan suaminya tidak dapat bekerja dan Athiletchumi menghadapi kesukaran untuk meneruskan kehidupan tanpa sebarang pendapatan.

HRP: Kenapa Jabatan Kebajikan di bawah pimpinan UMNO enggan memberi bantuan tambahan sebanyak RM500 kepada keluarga ini sebagai bantuan kebajikan dan memberi tanah di bawah program Felda, Felcra, Risda, Fama, Agropolitan, Kejora, Kesedar dan lain-lain lagi dan memberi peluang supaya keluarga ini dapat mengatasi kemiskinan hidup yang telah diwujudkan oleh sikap berat sebelah UMNO sendiri. Walaupun kerajaan di bawah  pimpinan UMNO telah memperuntukkan RM48 Million (surat kepada Perdana Menteri bertarikh 27hb Mac 2009) untuk bantuan kebajikan namun ia tetap tidak sampai kepada masyarakat India di negara ini yang amat memerlukannya dan kisah Sivasangkari adalah salah satu bukti yang tidak dapat dinafikan.

Blogger event of the year- BUM 2010

(Refer www.Malaysiakini.com 20/5/2010)

Touted to be the ‘the blogger event of the year’, Blogger Universe Malaysia 2010 will be held this Saturday with the theme of “moving Malaysia forward”.

Set to take place at Subang Jaya Lake View Club, it will feature a keynote address from Selangor MB Khalid Ibrahim as well as high-profile politicians such as Khalid Samad and P Uthayakumar.

The event will start from 10am Saturday.

BUM will have in the same room Utusan Malaysia editor Zaini Hassan and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok MP, albeit at different times. Zaini’s write-up on the azan call from mosque loudspeakers drew the attention of the authorities to Teresa and led to her ISA detention. She has sued Utusan and Zaini for defamation.

Zaini will be speaking on media matters and Teresa on bridging the religious divide, a topic relevant to her ISA experience.

Other speakers are:

In the BM session at noon – Zaid Ibrahim, Haris Ibrahim and Khalid Samad on the ‘The ‘Allah’ issue;

Media (afternoon) – Zaini, P Gunasegaram and Wong Choon Mei

English (evening) – Teresa, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, P Uthayakumar and Syed Ali Alhabshee on bridging religious divides.

All the sessions will have a Q & A.

Details are available at bum4msia.wordpress.com or e-mail admin@cpiasia.net or tel/fax: 03-2274 9186

Tamils worldwide under pressure, especially in Malaysia

So while Tamils everywhere sympathise with the aspirations and longings of the Sri Lankan exiles, the Tamil diaspora, which has settled all over the world after leaving that hell that was and still is Sri Lanka, many of them would also like the world to know that they too have their issues, which may be equally deserving of the world’s sympathy and support, especially the Tamils of Malaysia… Read more at:
http://digitaljournal.com/article/291564

CWC Member Asks Samy Vellu To Step Down

'Let members' decide Samy Vellu's future'

By G Vinod
KUALA LUMPUR: An EGM could once and for all decide if MIC president S Samy Vellu should vacate his post immediately or be allowed to leave at his own chosen speed.


MIC central working committee member KP Samy, in making the proposal, said members should be given a say if Samy Velly should stay on or capitulate to calls for his immediate resignation.
“It is vital for sake of the party and Barisan Nasional,” he said.
The MIC is in turmoil after Samy Vellu sacked Petaling Jaya division chief Barat Maniam and national deputy youth chief V Mugilan for criticising him recently.
Barat Maniam was sacked for sending an SMS telling Samy Vellu that the party was not his family's to run as he pleases while Mugilan was sacked for urging the party president to resign.
Samy also proposed that a secret ballot be conducted among MIC's 3,200 branches nationwide to decide if Samy Vellu should step down and vacate his post.
“The Wanita, Youth and Puteri wings said the president's decision to leave in nine's month had the endorsement of the the branches. I say, let's put it to vote,” said Samy.
He added the EGM can be held in July when the party holds an annual general meeting to discuss administrative matters.
“Samy Vellu's decision to step down in eight to nine months is too long. He should step down by end of this year to ensure a smooth transition of power,” said Samy.
“The community needs a new leader. Samy Vellu has been holding on to power for far too long. He must also realise that the people rejected MIC in the previous general election,” he added.
When asked if he feared repercussions from the MIC president for his statement, Samy calmly said he was prepared to face the music. “My concern is for the party and to secure BN's vote bank.”
Legal action mulled against Mohan
On another matter, Samy said he's in consultations with his lawyers over Youth chief T Mohan's challenge to take him to court over the alleged transfer of RM3.5 million in funds belonging to MIED.
Samy had queried the alleged transfer of MIED's fund to Suria Setia Capital Berhad, a company jointly owned by Mohan and former MIED CEO P Chitrakala Vasu in a CWC meeting.
After not getting a proper response from Mohan, Samy brought the issue to the attention of the media.
“I”m now in talks with my legal advisors on how to take the matter up to the next level,” he said.
Mohan said he had been cleared of wrongdoings by the police and the MACC over the issue, and said Samy was out to tarnish his image because he was inline for a senatorship.
Samy rebutted: “The CWC is not aware of any rumours of him being appointed a senator. The matter was not even discussed at the meeting.”
He also dismissed Mohan's claims that he has been cleared by the police and the MACC over the matter. “Where is the proof?” asked Samy.
Meanwhile, another CWC member G Kumar Aman who was also present at the press conference urged Mohan to come clean over the fund transfer.

Two more join anti-Samy Vellu fray

Opposition to Samy Vellu’s retirement plan has gained momentum, with two more party leaders lending their voices to the call. — file pic

KUALA LUMPUR, May 21 — Two more MIC leaders have come out to openly call for Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu’s early resignation, adding to the mounting pressure on the embattled party president to step down ahead of his plan to quit next year.

The two leaders, KP Samy and G. Kumar Aman, both Central Working Committee (CWC) members, said an extraordinary general meeting should be held to allow the party’s 3,200 delegates decide on the issue.

“I see no value for the Indian society if Samy Vellu continues as party president,” Samy told a press conference today.

Kumar Aman, who attended the same press conference, concurred.

The duo said they were in no way indebted to Samy Vellu and were concerned about the future of MIC.

They added that the party president, who has held fast to his post for over 30 years, had to accept that it was time for him to call it a day.

Samy Vellu, they added, should resign during the party’s annual general meeting this July 10.

The two are at the helm of a budding movement to remove Samy Vellu, which came to light recently when MIC Youth deputy chief V. Mugilan openly called for the president to resign by this Dec 31.

His statement came after Samy Vellu announced on Sunday that he would quit by September next year, ahead of the expiration of his term in May 2012.

The announcement had come as a surprise as many leaders, including those in other Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties, had assumed the president would leave during the party’s AGM in July.

Samy Vellu had said he had plans to “rearrange” the party and rid it of those who had the intention to “destroy” MIC.

Mugilan and MIC Petaling Jaya South chief, V. Subramaniam, also known as Bharat Maniam, were both sacked after speaking out against Samy Vellu.

In Bharat Maniam’s case, the veteran MIC leader was sacked a week ago after sending an SMS to Samy Vellu, lobbying to be a Senator.

Mugilan was sacked yesterday for asking Samy Vellu’s earlier retirement.

He is expected to appeal his expulsion to the CWC on Monday.

It is unlikely, however, that Samy Vellu will mete out similar punishments to Samy and Kumar Aman.

With the two joining the anti-Samy Vellu bandwagon, more leaders in the party are expected to come forward to voice similar sentiments.

Campaign to clamp World Cup betting

By B Nantha Kumar - Free Malaysia Today

KUALA LUMPUR: A Pakatan Rakyat organised campaign is underway to discourage Malaysians from placing bets during the upcoming World Cup.
Kepong PKR division chairman G Ganesan said a few members had decided to get the ball rolling by telling people, especially the young, that it is wrong and wasteful.

“Gambling is not good for us. We will always lose money, and this is what we want people to understand,” he told FMT today.

He said the campaign will run via SMS and on the Internet.

Despite strong opposition from various parties, the government has gone ahead with its decision to legalise gambling during the World Cup 2010 which will take place in South Africa next month.

The government has issued Berjaya Group of Companies with the license. The move is expected to earn the federal coffers RM60 billion in revenue over the 30 days.

“It is not going to stop illegal betting. The government knows this, but it is still going ahead,” Ganesan said alluding to Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussein's statement that if the government did not legitimise gambling during the World Cup, illegal betting would be worse.

A puzzled Ganesan said that during the height of the beer controversy in Selangor, Awang was one of the Umno leaders who had declared that this was an Islamic country and that PAS could no longer secure Islamic interest.

“But it has taken a different stand on this issue because RM60 billion is lucrative returns for Umno-BN,” he said.

Anti-gambling rallies

Meanwhile PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan at-Tantawi said anti-gambling rallies will be held in five states after Friday prayers.

Harakahdaily reported him as saying that protests will be held at the mosques in Permatang Janggus in Penang and Pengadang Baru (Terengganu), the state mosque in Ipoh, as well as in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan.

An anti-gambling protest in Kuala Lumpur after Friday prayers last week resulted in police roughing up the participants.

Nasrudin said a series of roadshows would also be held by PAS Youth at various states to educate the public on the evils of gambling.

The protests, he said, would culminate in a mammoth demonstration, planned on July 3, after which he vowed that PAS Youth would mobilise the masses against the government if the latter still did not retract the licence to Berjaya.

"Although the World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 11, we have been protesting against sports betting ever since Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak proposed it to be legalised," he said.

He added that the gambling licence also covered other soccer-related events such as the English Premier League, Spanish Primera Liga, Germany’s Bundesliga, Italy Series A, UEFA, Champions League and the English FA Cup.

Nasrudin also announced a much bigger rally in Bachok, Kelantan, on Friday, May 28, to demand the resignation of Awang, who is also the Umno division chairman for Bachok, for approving the gambling licence.

The rally would be led by among others PAS deputy president and Bachok MP Nasharudin Mat Isa.

Two-party system no longer a dream

By Stanley Koh - Free Malaysia Today

COMMENT If you are an urban dweller, you can almost smell the euphoria blown into the air by Pakatan Rakyat’s recent electoral victory in Sibu, which came soon after an impressive performance in Hulu Selangor.
That says a lot about how unpopular Barisan Nasional is among urbanites, many of whom like to equate the ruling regime with the mafia.

Can the euphoria last? It is perhaps appropriate to remind Pakatan Rakyat not to be too complacent.

Chinese wisdom warns us that life is a rollercoaster, that we should be especially careful after an unusual series of lucky breaks, for misfortune might just be lurking around the corner.

Despite Pakatan's popular appeal, it continues to face an uphill battle against a powerful and ruthless enemy. It must recognise that the story of contemporary Malaysian politics is a script for a Hollywood gangster movie, a tale of conspiracy, betrayal and sabotage.

While PKR can shrug off the ongoing exodus from its ranks as a cleansing process and a weeding out of hypocrites and other scumbags, many opposition supporters are worried that it may be letting its guard down.

Indeed, every component party in Pakatan is vulnerable in the battle of political wills with the powerful ruling regime, which is bent on destroying the goodwill within the opposition coalition. Especially since the political tsunami of 2008, BN has been relentless in trying to drive its wedges into the rival coalition to weaken and eventually destroy its collective strength.  It has shown remarkable obedience to Lenin’s notorious dictum: “In politics here is no morality, only expediency.”

However, the ballot can do more damage than the bullet. It is possible for conscientious and awakened Malaysians to throw out the BN government in the next round.

Strengthening the solidarity

“
Now more and more Chinese Malaysians are saying they have had enough of politicians taking the nation to the brink of insanity.

Perhaps Pakatan should work out a campaign strategy that concentrates on major issues and ignores all side issues.  What would be the impact if Malaysians choose to vote only on those issues closest to their hearts?

For example, Pakatan can ask voters whether they agree with BN’s bullying tactics, not only against the opposition parties, but also against the general public, and whether they want to see an end to such villainy. Or, when addressing urban voters, it can ask whether they feel BN has improved on public transportation.

The answers to such questions will be obvious.

At the same time, Pakatan must continue to strengthen the solidarity within the coalition. It must be able to withstand more and stronger onslaughts from the Umno-BN hegemony.

PKR is particularly vulnerable. Having selected its 2008 election candidates almost randomly, it is dangerously susceptible to sudden frog jumping.

The political future of its adviser, Anwar Ibrahim, is uncertain. The sword of Damocles is hanging over his head. The government has put him on trial again, but many feel it is Malaysia that is on trial.

“Justice will not come as a gift; we must fight for it,” Anwar declared in 1998 following his sacking from government.

On Sept 4 of that year, while addressing a mammoth crowd, he directed these sharp questions at the architect of his downfall: “For how long do you want power? For how long do you want to monopolize wealth? How much longer do you want to cheat the people?”

Little has changed since then. Anwar continues to direct the same questions to those in power. And he has kept the promises he made 12 years ago: to fight back, to take his struggle to the people, and to launch a movement to eliminate corruption and repression.

In his role as prime mover, he has cemented together a credible opposition front. This was no mean feat, given the past differences between DAP and PAS.

Ghafar Baba's bold but wrong insight

Nevertheless, the success is not his alone. Credit is also due to the likes of DAP’s Lim Kit Siang, PAS’s Nik Abdul Aziz and, of course, Malaysians who have had enough of the BN hegemony and want to see the emergence of a two-party system.

BN used to describe the opposition coalition as parties “sharing the same bed but dreaming different dreams.” The joke is no longer funny, for the tables have turned, with MCA and Gerakan constantly questioning Umno’s erratic policies and the bigotry of its leaders.

There is a Chinese saying that warns young people against laughing at those with crooked fingers, for they too will grow old. MCA never heeded those words of wisdom. It has awakened in the same bed that Umno has been sleeping it, but they have had different nightmares. Now more and more Chinese Malaysians are saying they have had enough of politicians taking the nation to the brink of insanity.

In 1998, Asiaweek ran an interview with former deputy prime minister Abdul Ghafar Baba.

Ghafar said: “I don’t think the sacking (of Anwar) will divide the Malay community. I meet grassroots people every day, and I know they back Mahathir and Umno and that Anwar doesn’t have any support. Anwar may well form a new group, but he will fail because the majority of Malays are with Umno.”

We now know how far off the track he was.

---

Stankey Koh, a former head of research at MCA, is a Free Malaysia Today contributor.

Scotland Yard says RPK not wanted

A visit to the New Scotland Yard office today revealed that there is no extradition request from the Malaysian government, nor is there any warrant of arrest issued against Raja Petra Kamarudin, as what The Malay Mail reported here: http://www.malaysia-today.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31962:scotland-yard-to-help-nab-rpk&catid=19:newscommentaries&Itemid=100131)

A further check with Interpol in Paris revealed the same thing.

In fact, said Scotland Yard, there is no extradition treaty between the Malaysian and British governments so it would be extremely difficult for Malaysia to request for anyone to be extradited from the UK.

MACC ready to record Balasubramaniam's statement in London

(Bernama) -- The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is ready to record a statement from private investigator P. Balasubramaniam in London.

It welcomed Balasubramaniam's willingness to give the statement in connection with the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu and wanted to record the statement in July.

"We will be in touch with his lawyers to discuss the matter," MACC said in a statement here on Friday.

The portal Malaysiakini last night reported that Balasubramaniam was waiting for MACC to record his statement.

A statement issued to the media via his lawyers Manjeet Singh Dhillon and Americk Sidhu said Balasubramaniam was "ready, willing and able to so."

They said Balasubramaniam had yet to receive a formal letter from MACC to record his statement.

Deputy Commissioner Datuk Mohd Shukri Abdull said on April 19, MACC would meet him "anywhere he felt appropriate" and not only at Malaysian embassies abroad.

He assured that MACC would not arrest Balasubramaniam but only to record his statement since he was a witness in the Altantuya murder case.

MACC also allowed Balasubramaniam to be accompanied by his lawyers during recording of the statement.

On July 3, 2008, Balasubramaniam made a sworn declaration related to the murder of Altantuya but withdrew it the next day through a second sworn declaration before he vanished.

He is believed to be abroad with his family.